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Bay FC made Alyssa Malonson the first pick in the NWSL expansion draft on Friday, selecting the defender from OL Reign.

The league’s two new teams, Bay FC and the Utah Royals, got a chance to stock their rosters. The San Jose-based team selected five players, while the Sandy, Utah-based club chose two players.

Bay FC, which had fewer players on its roster than the Royals based on free agent signings and trades, had the option to select up to seven players on Friday. Utah could have selected up to five.

Malonson, 24, is a former All-American at Auburn who was selected the 2021 Southeastern Conference defender of the year. She spent last year on loan at Nordsjaelland in Denmark before returning to play in four matches for OL Reign this year.

With the second expansion draft pick, the Royals chose forward Elyse Bennett from OL Reign. In 2023, Bennett logged two goals and two assists in 21 regular-season contests for the Seattle-based club. After getting to the NWSL final with the Kansas City Current, she competed in the championship match again this year for OL Reign.

Bay FC’s second expansion selection was forward Tess Boade, who helped North Carolina Courage win the NWSL Challenge Cup each of the past two seasons.

Utah then selected Racing Louisville forward Paige Monaghan. She scored three goals this year, giving her nine in 79 career NWSL regular-season matches.

The remaining selections by Bay FC were San Diego Wave forward Rachel Hill, Courage goalie Katelyn Rowland and Wave midfielder Sierra Enge.

The Royals also have nine players acquired in trade and three signed as free agents. Bay FC signed one free agent and landed six players in trades.

The 2024 NWSL Draft is scheduled for Jan. 12, and the season will open on March 15.

–Field Level Media